'Performing at Radio 1's Big Weekend is an honour'

A singer-songwriter who began performing live around Essex as a child said it was a "lovely surprise" to be selected to play at Radio 1's Big Weekend.

Erin LeCount, from Chelmsford, will perform on the BBC Introducing stage during the three-day festival at Liverpool's Sefton Park in May.

The 22-year-old said she was "speechless" when Matt Plumb, BBC Introducing presenter for Essex and Cambridgeshire, told her she had been selected to represent the area.

"Looking at the Saturday line-up, with the likes of Sam Fender and Wolf Alice - people I've seen live in concert many times - its such an honour," she said.

"I've never been to Liverpool either, so I'm looking forward to a nice weekend."

LeCount said she had been fully focused on a show in London next week - her first for some time - so it was a "nice surprise" to learn she had a slot on such a big stage in the summer.

Her latest single, Silver Spoon, released on Friday, was about "the ways you grow up" and how that affects relationships, she said.

She counts Florence and the Machine and Kate Bush among her influences, along with Sampha, FKA twigs, and The xx.

"I love artists who produce their own music, of anyone who goes all-in and embraces the madness," she said.

LeCount credited the Hermit Club in Brentwood for supporting her from a young age and allowing her to perform at open mics.

"I got into the habit of doing live music and I just wanted to keep performing as time went on," she said.

"I felt comfortable sharing it online when I was 17 or 18, and it's ended up here, which is quite nice.

"It feels I've had a nice break and now I'm back in full force, I've got the show, and lots of writing to do and lots of live prep for Big Weekend.

"I think I'll have to pull something special out of the bag."

Radio 1's Big Weekend runs from 23 to 25 May, with a line-up including Tom Grennan, Mumford & Sons and Lola Young.

LeCount will appear on Saturday, 24 May.

You can hear Erin LeCount's interview with BBC Essex on BBC Sounds.

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